Effects of Climate Change on Homeless Populations in Omaha, NE

Climate change affects multiple sectors, including public health, housing, and infrastructure, with disproportionate impacts on vulnerable populations. In Omaha, Nebraska, individuals experiencing homelessness face elevated risks due to increasingly extreme weather conditions and limited access to shelter, health care, and infrastructure. The city experiences hot summers and cold winters, and the number of days exceeding 90°F annually is projected to more than double by the end of the century. Nationwide trends show an increase in cooling degree days and a decrease in heating degree days, reflecting hotter summers and milder winters. In Omaha, local records mirror these trends, with temperature extremes becoming more common. The intersection of climate change and homelessness is widely recognized as a public health and social equity issue.
This article presents Omaha as a case study in how climate change intersects with housing insecurity, health disparities, and climate vulnerability among unsheltered populations.
Exposure to Extreme Weather Events
Tornadoes and More Severe Weather
In recent decades, studies have shown that while the overall number of tornado days in the United States has declined, the frequency of days with multiple tornadoes has increased. A 2015 study found that the number of high-impact “tornado days,” defined as days with multiple EF1 or stronger tornadoes, has risen, with events becoming more spatially and temporally concentrated. Warmer temperatures have been linked to greater atmospheric instability, potentially contributing to more intense or frequent tornado clusters.
In 2024, the United States recorded one of its most active spring tornado seasons, with 1,176 tornadoes confirmed nationwide. Nebraska saw elevated temperatures, with 2024 ranked as the second warmest year on record as statewide temperatures averaged 52.7°F, slightly below the 2012 peak.
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Increased Exposure
Individuals experiencing homelessness are more vulnerable to extreme temperatures due to prolonged outdoor exposure and limited access to climate-controlled environments. In winter, wind chills below 20°F increase the risk of hypothermia, frostbite, and other cold-related conditions. In summer, temperatures over 90°F can result in heat stroke and dehydration, particularly among those with preexisting conditions.
Limited transportation, access to cooling centers, and emergency service infrastructure exacerbate these risks. Some individuals avoid shelters due to safety concerns or restrictive eligibility policies. Studies have linked long-term temperature exposure with elevated mortality among unhoused populations. A 2024 San Francisco Chronicle report documented over 100 hypothermia-related deaths in California between 2017 and 2023 despite milder winters.
In Omaha, cold winters and limited public health resources may intensify these outcomes. Warming centers may lack capacity, and some individuals remain in tents, cars, or encampments during severe weather events.
In Omaha, these sites have historically been affected by floods. The 2019 Missouri River inundations displaced individuals and disrupted access to emergency services.
Access to alerts, evacuation routes, and transportation may be limited for unhoused individuals without phones, internet, or transit access. NASA satellite imagery of the 2019 Offutt Air Force Base
This intersection has been described as a “compounding crisis” in academic literature. A 2024 report in the Georgetown Environmental Law Review refers to it as a “dual hazard,” particularly affecting populations with minimal adaptive capacity.
Public Health and Emergency Prepardness
Physical Health Impacts
Individuals experiencing homelessness in Omaha face increased vulnerability to a range of physical health conditions during extreme weather events. Prolonged exposure to heat can lead to dehydration, heat exhaustion, and cardiovascular stress, while cold weather increases the risk of frostbite, hypothermia, and respiratory illness. During extreme heat in 2023 and 2024, Omaha-area hospitals reported spikes in emergency department visits, particularly among unsheltered individuals. National data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reflect similar trends, with rising rates of heat-related illness across the United States.
Poor air quality in Douglas County, Nebraska further affects individuals without reliable indoor shelter. Ozone levels and particulate matter from regional wildfire smoke have contributed to increased asthma rates and respiratory symptoms. Studies indicate that unsheltered individuals may delay seeking medical care until conditions worsen, increasing the likelihood of emergency interventions and hospitalization.
Mental Health Impacts
Climate-related stressors, including environmental trauma, displacement, and prolonged uncertainty, have been associated with worsened mental health outcomes among people experiencing homelessness. National assessments from the U.S. Global Change Research Program and local organizations in Omaha report that anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder are common during extended periods of extreme weather exposure.
Sleep deprivation, limited shelter access, and persistent feelings of little safety may further exacerbate mental distress. The American Psychological Association also notes that individuals with preexisting psychiatric condition may be more sensitive to environmental extremes, including heatwaves or cold exposure.
Local data indicate that 39 percent of Omaha’s homeless population report substance use challenges, and 22 percent are classified as severely mentally ill. These conditions may increase susceptibility to the physiological effects of extreme temperatures. Community-based health providers such as Community Alliance and HEAL Omaha offer mobile outreach and direct services for individuals experiencing homelessness and mental illness. These findings are consistent with national data showing that unsheltered individuals are more likely to experience severe mental illness and trauma.
As of 2024, Douglas County reported a provider-to-population ratio of 215 to 1 for mental health services. More than 16 percent of residents reported experiencing frequent mental distress. These statistics highlight gaps in the region’s capacity to meet behavioral health needs, particularly among unsheltered populations.
Impact of COVID-19 and Future Pandemics
The COVID-19 pandemic further highlighted systemic health inequities affecting unsheltered populations in Omaha. Social distancing protocols reduced shelter capacity, and limited access to sanitation supplies made viral containment difficult in encampments. Local organizations such as Open Door Mission and Siena Francis House faced challenges in enforcing public health measures while responding to increased service demand.
Between 2019 and 2023, Omaha experienced a notable rise in homelessness. Local service providers partially attributed this increase to the expiration of pandemic-era eviction moratoriums and the conclusion of federal relief programs. Researchers have described the convergence of infectious disease outbreaks and climate-related disasters, including heatwaves and flooding, as a form of cascading risk that compounds harm for individuals with limited adaptive capacity.
Housing, Food, and Resources
Housing Instability and Climate-Induced Displacement
Housing insecurity can be both a cause and a consequence of climate related displacement. In Omaha, individuals already facing high housing costs and limited affordable housing options may be especially vulnerable to extreme weather events such as floods, heat waves, and cold snaps. As of 2023, approximately 46.4 percent of renter households in Omaha were considered housing cost burdened, spending more than 30 percent of their income on housing. This compares to a state average of 27.5 percent.
Historical climate disasters have shown that housing displacement often increases after major weather events, particularly in regions with limited housing supply. For example, Hurricane Katrina damaged more than 250,000 homes and displaced thousands of low income residents in New Orleans. While Omaha has not experienced a disaster of that scale, flooding along the Missouri River in 2011 and 2019 displaced both rural and urban residents in Nebraska. Some received temporary support, but many with unstable housing before the disaster had limited access to long term recovery assistance. have limited the development of transitional housing models, including tiny home communities and other low cost shelter options for individuals experiencing homelessness.
Food and Water Insecurity
Climate change is projected to increase water and food insecurity, particularly for people without stable housing or income. Although Nebraska is a major agricultural state, climate stressors such as drought, flooding, and extreme heat are expected to reduce crop yields. Disruptions in food production and supply chains may lead to higher food prices and reduced availability of nutritious items, putting more pressure on food banks and public assistance programs.
In 2023, more than 16 percent of Omaha residents experienced food insecurity, a rate that exceeds both the state and national averages. Individuals experiencing homelessness often rely on food distribution programs, community centers, and mobile pantries. These services may be disrupted or closed during climate emergencies, especially when access to transportation or identification is required.
Several Omaha based organizations provide support for food insecure individuals. The Salvation Army offers emergency meals and bottled water. Open Door Mission delivers food through mobile outreach teams, and Heartland Hope Mission distributes weekly boxes containing food and hygiene items. These services are especially important during extreme weather events, when access is limited and demand increases.
Lack of Access to Climate Resilience Resources
Climate resilience infrastructure such as cooling centers, warming centers, and emergency alert systems, is not always accessible to individuals experiencing homelessness. In Omaha, limited public transportation and restrictions related to shelter capacity or behavioral policies can hinder access during extreme weather events.
Communication barriers further complicate emergency response. Many unsheltered individuals lack consistent access to cell phones or internet, reducing their ability to receive weather alerts, health updates, or shelter notifications. During a 2024 heatwave, local organizations relied on in-person outreach to reach encampments due to digital access gaps.
Emergency preparedness plans often overlook the needs of people without shelter. While organizations such as Siena Francis House and Nebraska Total Care operate cooling and warming centers, these facilities may not meet rising demand as climate events become more frequent and severe.
Impacts and Policy Response
Socioeconomic and Demographic Vulnerability
Climate related risks are not distributed equally across populations. In Omaha, African Americans, Indigenous, and Latin American communities experience disproportionately high rates of housing insecurity, chronic health conditions, and environmental exposure. These factors increase vulnerability to extreme weather and other climate related hazards.
People with disabilities or chronic health issues may face additional risks during climate emergencies, particularly when emergency shelters are inaccessible or lack accommodations. individuals, especially youth, are over-represented among those experiencing homelessness and may face barriers to congregate shelter due to safety concerns or discrimination.
Academic literature has identified systemic inequities in housing, health care, and political representation as contributors to climate vulnerability. These factors may reduce the ability of marginalized communities to prepare for, respond to, or recover from climate related events.
Between 2013 and early 2025, the Omaha-Council Bluffs metropolitan area had one of the fastest increases in homelessness. Researchers have linked this to increased housing costs, reduced availability of transitional housing, and the expiration of pandemic related relief programs.
Policy and Advocacy Solution
In response to these challenges, local and federal policymakers have implemented strategies focused on improving climate resilience for individuals experiencing homelessness. Factors driving the growth in homelessness in Omaha include housing shortages, reduced availability of transitional housing, and the end of COVID related protections. Proposed actions include expanding affordable housing near public transportation, increasing shelter capacity during extreme weather, and enhancing communication systems to ensure that emergency alerts reach vulnerable groups.
Other proposed measures include building low barrier shelters, establishing seasonal emergency centers for heat and cold waves, and increasing access to identification and health services. Federal recommendations have encouraged municipalities to include people experiencing homelessness in disaster planning through mobile outreach, evacuation support, and inclusive emergency communication. Long term solutions may involve zoning reform, energy efficient housing incentives, and modular or smaller housing designs that accommodate displaced people.

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